Training for aspiring female football coaches
The Department of Sport and Recreation in conjunction with South African Football Association (SAFA) in KwaZulu-Natal hosted a female only SAFA D-License coaching coarse for 30 young trainees from all corners of the Province.
The 8-day course was held from 14-21 August at Margate Sport School on the south coast. The initiative follows an observation by the MEC for Sport and Recreation Ms. Hlengiwe Mavimbela that most female clubs are coached by males. The sad situation is not only limited to football but many other codes.
In an exercise undertaken by the Department to visit boxing gyms in KZN, it emerged that a there was a large and very talented pool of female boxers in the amateur ranks, but with no women trainers. Females in boxing are largely technical officials such as judging and refereeing
“This has broadened our knowledge of the game and empowered us with skills to be good coaches. Most of the people here like me are aspiring to be coaches. The knowledge we’ve gained will help develop our clubs,” commented Ms. Tumi Mgudu, a former Banyana Banyana Player and DSR official.
Mgudu added that as females they truly appreciated the opportunity given to them as it was very rare.
The Coach Development Programme forms part of the Department’s events to mark the 150th anniversary of struggle icon, Charlotte Maxeke.
National government has proclaimed 2021 to be the year of Charlotte Maxeke to celebrate her inspirational feats towards liberation of Africans and South Africa, liberation of women in this lifetime.